Main

Detail specifications 12GM - Level 1

Strong two-suiters

Two-suiters
A hand is a two-suiter if it contains: one suit of at least five cards and another of at least four To describe his two-suiter, the Opener must bid his 2nd suit at the 2 level
There are 3 types of two-suiter:

  The minimum two-suiter, non-forcing with 12-17HCP. This allows the responder to stay at the 2 level when returning to the opening suit.
  The reverse, forcing for a round with 17HCP or more. The second suit, bid at the 2 level, is higher-ranking than the first bidsuit. The responder is thus obliged to go to the 3 level to return to the opening suit.
  The jump reverse, game-forcing, as from about 20HCP.
SWNE
1 Trefle Pass 1 Coeur Pass
1 Pique Pass 3 Pique Pass
Pass
King Spades
8 Spades
5 Spades
4 Spades
8 Hearts
2 Hearts
King Clubs
Queen Clubs
6 Clubs
3 Clubs
Ace Diamonds
Jack Diamonds
5 Diamonds
Problem E4673 1 The 2nd suit bid by the Opener at the 1 level doesn't promise a strong two-suiter. He may only have 4 .
 
SWNE
1 Carreau Pass 1 Pique Pass
2 Coeur
Jack Spades
9 Spades
4 Spades
Ace Hearts
King Hearts
Jack Hearts
9 Hearts
5 Clubs
Ace Diamonds
King Diamonds
Queen Diamonds
9 Diamonds
8 Diamonds
Problem E1212 1 Strong two-suiter : the Responder will be forced to bid at the 3 level in order to indicate preference for the Opener's first suit.
 
 
Strong two-suiter
A round forcing bid requires at least 17HCP .. as your Partner may only have 5
  • To bid a strong two-suiter, the lower ranked suit has to be longer than the higher-ranked suit.
  • It's not possible to bid a strong two-suiter with a 5-5... because you have to open with the more expensive suit !
  • Note that the weak two-suiter and the strong two-suiter overlap when the Opener has 17HCP.
  • If Responder has bid at the 2 level, promising at least 11HCP, a strong two-suiter can be bid with 15HCP. The point count has now been lowered.
SWNE
1 Carreau Pass 1 Pique Pass
1 SA
6 Spades
4 Spades
Ace Hearts
Queen Hearts
9 Hearts
8 Hearts
9 Clubs
7 Clubs
Ace Diamonds
King Diamonds
10 Diamonds
9 Diamonds
5 Diamonds
Problem E4830 1NT It's not possible to bid CO!
2 promises at least 17HCP.
 
SWNE
1 Carreau Pass 1 Pique Pass
2 Coeur
Jack Spades
9 Spades
4 Spades
Ace Hearts
King Hearts
Jack Hearts
9 Hearts
5 Clubs
Ace Diamonds
King Diamonds
Queen Diamonds
9 Diamonds
8 Diamonds
Problem E4829 2 all the conditions have been met : 18HCP and a 5 carder which is a lower-ranked suit than the 4 carder.
 
 
Important!!!
Your strength doesn't always allow you to bid your two-suiter, especially when your 5 carder is a minor suit and not a major suit... Don't lull your Partner into a false understanding about the strength of your hand.
 
Be Careful! Important rule concerning the strong two-suiter
A strong two-suiter no longer exisits if the Responder has already bid a suit higher, thus disallowing Opener to rebid his suit at the 2 level.
SWNE
1 Trefle 1 Pique 2 Carreau Pass
2 Coeur
9 Spades
7 Spades
3 Spades
Ace Hearts
Queen Hearts
10 Hearts
9 Hearts
Ace Clubs
Queen Clubs
8 Clubs
5 Clubs
7 Diamonds
5 Diamonds
Problem 20148 With this bidding sequence, Opener could have a 1st zone hand. Responder bids 2, ruling out the possibility of Opener to rebid at the 2 level. The aim of the 2 bid is to find the best contract.